Samurai of Slide gone?

Noriyuki Haga, the fastest and most charismatic racer never to win the World Superbike title (he has two second and three third places, missing the title in 2000 because a cold medicine tested with a banned substance), looks to be out of a ride for the first time since 1996.

The past couple of seasons have been tough on Nitro Nori (also known as the Samurai of Slide), as he came second with the factory Xerox Ducati squad in 2009, slipped to sixth in 2010, then had a lacklustre season with the satellite Pata Aprilia team in 2011.

The entry list for WSB has been released, and he’s not there. Rumours have him looking for rides in the British or Japanese superbike series (in both of which he’s shone in the past) or perhaps just retiring. After 43 race wins and coming so close so often, it’s sad to see him without a ride.

The “final provisional” list of entries follows, the most recent entries being Leandro Mercado of Argentina and David Salom of Spain, riding Kawasaki ZX-10s for the Pedercini team.

Post navigation

0 thoughts on “Samurai of Slide gone?”

Such a shame to have to start the season without Nori. Although I’m almost positive that no one wanted to pay his asking salary when they have younger guys that are more hungry. Nori has more talent in his left pinky that some of these new guys.